Definition: When a plant is called herbaceous, it means that the stems are soft or succulent and green, as opposed to brown and woody. Generally soft, green, herbaceous growth will die back to the ground in cold, winter climates. The roots of the perennial plant are alive and well and new growth will emerge in the spring.
Examples:
The dwarf conifer was the only plant left in the garden after the snow storm killed back all the herbaceous perennials.
